Some interesting teams in this year's Champions League, looking out for ...
Feyenoord - Got to the Conference League Final 18 months ago and nearly the semis of the Europa League last season. Got some good players who may earn moves to bigger leagues soon. Won the Eredivisie last season.
Barcelona - Just seem to keep going lower in this competition since Roma knocked them out in 2018. The Anfield collapse the year after and then the humiliation against Bayern. Since Messi left they've been knocked out in the group stages two years running. A kind group this year means they should go into the knockouts plus they have won the title under Xavi, still think they're ceiling is about last 16/Quarter finals level.
Antwerp - In Barca's group alongside Shaktar and Porto, could probably finish 2nd/3rd/4th and believe this is their first time in it. Should be well up for it.
Lens - Over 80 points in France last season and unlucky not to beat PSG to the title. Seems like they've lost a few players but have done superbly to get there in the first place. Tough group for them with Arsenal/PSV/Sevilla.
Union Berlin - Have progressed year on year from the Conference League, to the Europa, to the CL. Were still in the 2nd division four or five years ago. Incredible rise to the competition and a really tough group with Madrid/Napoli/Braga.
Sociedad - Just great to see a team from that area in the competition.
As for the Europa League, big season for Brighton in their first European campaign, I think they can win that group with Marseille/Ajax/AEK Athens. The challenge is obviously expected from the two bigger sides in that group but neither are very good and if you look at how Brighton can take apart established Premier League clubs it wouldn't be a surprise to see them do it on the European stage. A good run in this will see De Zerbi's stocks rise even higher and surely have big clubs fighting for him next summer. See also Bayer Leverkusen. Great start for Xabi there and unlucky not to go on and win the tournament last season, they're really good in attack and can fancy their chances throughout this I reckon.
